The Messenger January 2021 _______________________________________________________________________
St. Thomas Orthodox Church 1100 Jones St. - PO Box 1042 – Sioux City, Iowa 51102 (712) 258-7166 – info@stthomassiouxcity.org www.stthomassiouxcity.org
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Our Mission St. Thomas Orthodox Church is a community of Christians who proclaim the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as handed down by the Apostles. We are committed to bringing the Light of Christ to all of Siouxland in thought, word, and deed. At St. Thomas Orthodox Church, you will find Holy Orthodoxy—ancient and alive. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Weekly Schedule Orthros and Divine Liturgy Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Vespers Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. Great Vespers Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Birthdays January 1 15 18 19 30
Sneha Virippil Abigail Suhr Sierra Ameen Manoj Virippil Carol Border-Stone 2
Meditation Mark 11:22-26 Faith in God When Jesus spoke of casting a mountain into the sea, He wasn’t reducing the Christian life and the struggle for holiness to a “name it and claim it” style of theology. Instead, the Lord goes on to talk about the internal, deeply difficult spiritual struggle of forgiveness and relationships. In fact, the Lord associates great faith with spiritual maturity and forgiveness, not to mention the terrifying reality that if I don’t forgive others, God will not forgive me. This is a great deal more serious and demanding than the simple perspective that having faith is merely feeling good. When our Lord says “have faith in God,” He refers to a process by which we are transfigured into people who are actually like God. This means forgiveness is possible – we can let go of past hurts that we have kept returning to over the course of our lives. We can cast that mountain of regret into the sea of God’s forgetfulness. Rather than focusing on what we lack, we can concentrate on what we are becoming in Christ. It all begins with having real faith in God, which consists of a relationship with Him in which success is measured by how closely we are able to follow Jesus Christ. Today: Do you have faith in God? Let this be the year you abandon the childish idea that faith is a magic formula. Adopt the mature understanding that God wants you to be like Him, using the wise spiritual tools of our Orthodox Church. Fr. Barnabas Powell _________________________________________________________________________ “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 Orthodox Study Bible _________________________________________________________________________ “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates others, they are a liar; for those who do not love others whom they have seen, how can they love God whom they have not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that those who love God must love others also.” I John 4:20-21 Orthodox Study Bible
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St. Thomas on the Internet Until now, the main presence of the parish on the Internet has been our Web site at https://stthomassiouxcity.org but, over the next few weeks, you’ll see some major changes happening there as we overhaul the site. While it’s being renovated, you can still stay updated by visiting our various social media pages: Facebook page: Siouxland Orthodox Group: Instagram: SoundCloud: Twitter: YouTube:
https://www.facebook.com/St.ThomasOrthodoxChurchSC/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/689850188457371/ https://www.instagram.com/sathorch/ https://soundcloud.com/sathorch https://twitter.com/sathorch https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIkvjWIH3zMELHkelZ36kRA
Your personalized parish Web site can be found at https://stthomassiouxcity.churchtrac.com/
Let Us Attend! The following are the current guidelines under which we have permission from Bp. BASIL to gather for in-person worship: •
No more than ⅓ capacity at any service: for us, this is 75 individuals.
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Social distancing (6 feet) must be maintained between family units (defined as anyone living in your household).
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Social distancing must be maintained when entering and exiting the building and when lining up to receive Communion.
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Please be sure to wear your mask when entering and leaving the church, entering and leaving your pew, and approaching and returning from receiving Communion. Hand sanitizer is available in the narthex.
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If you’re ill, do not attend. If you are in a high-risk group, please consider carefully whether you should attend.
We want everyone who can to attend services but we also do not want anyone to feel pressured to return before they’re comfortable doing so. Thank you for your cooperation!
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In Memoriam Remembering those who reposed in the month of January Ferris Abdallah, Sadie Haddad, Philip David, Abe David, Mary David, Hanna Ellis, Antonse Gebran, George Butrous, Sadie Skaff, Eva Jakes, Alexander Krivolsopich, Merlin Sellers, George E. Yanney, Snoura Gosen, Della Bosrich, Millord Carl Miller, Galley D. Murad, Edwin L. Swanson, Inda C. Kazos Webber, Granville N. Westfall, Michael A. Corey, Victor Ferris, William T. Rice, Robert Corey, Jamelia Ellis, Mary Stevens, Alexander G. Antonovich, Patricia Baker, Nina C. Sweeney, Mary Jean Mann, Nellie Skaff, LeRoy Yanney, Nina Baker, Lidiya Cherkas, Madonna Antonovich, David J. Koury. ___________________________________________________________________________________
Ladies Club We have not been able to have a formal meeting since March. We pray that 2021 will be a better year for everyone. The Antiochian Women of North America website has been helpful to us during the pandemic. We gave $1,000 to the NAB project this year. We hope to be able to do more communication, more projects and social functions. Keep strengthening your faith and pray for everyone. God bless and keep us all safe. Please pray for those who are alone during the nativity season. Remember the wonder of Christmas; the little baby Jesus in the manger. ___________________________________________________________________________________
SOYO Sunday School will be starting back up at our 9AM time on January 10th. We will be beginning part two of The Relationship Project. SOYO had some fun the last weekend of November and painted at Pickled Palette. We have some very artistic teens. On January 16th, we will get together for “Wannabe WAMP�. We will have a guest speaker via Zoom, and then play games with teens all over the country. Mark your calendars and be ready to win some amazing prizes.
The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America 358 Mountain Road, Englewood, NJ 07631 Phone: 201-871-1355 Fax: 201-871-7954 E-Mail: theorder@antiochian.org
December 11, 2020 Christ is in our Midst! During this Advent period of our Orthodox faith we prepare ourselves in joyful anticipation for the Greatest Gift of all … our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On behalf of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch Governing Council, we want to express our sincere gratitude for your membership but more importantly for taking on “the responsibility” to become a part of our ministry that helps change countless lives. We pray that during this Blessed Season and throughout the year that you continue to receive God’s blessings of grace, compassion and love along with His many other gifts to us that are both seen and unseen in our daily lives. May God bless you and keep you under His watchful care. As a member of the Order and in a spirit of compassion, you not only give of what you have but you also strive to do it in a spirit of humility and love. You give without expecting anything in return and without recognition by the Order’s recipients. Your gift is an unconditional, personal sacrifice. It is an act of Faith that is infinite in its effect. In Fiscal year 2020 the impact of your gift to the Order has been felt by many and in countless ways. The Order’s Fiscal Year 2020 actual expenses included $297,014 to support our retired clergy, active clergy and seminarians. You helped fund $390,924 for the youth of the Antiochian Archdiocese (including camp scholarships). $254,988 was provided to support programs and departments for the development & growth of the Antiochian Archdiocese. You’ve also helped give $43,000 toward outreach organizations which include but are not limited to Project Mexico, SOYO Special Olympics and the IOCC. Clergy
$297,014
Archdiocese Development & Growth
$254,988
Retired Clergy Housing Allowance
$270,000
Missions & Evangelism
$129,996
Married Seminarian Assistance Clergy Symposium & Convention Assistance
$14,965
Parish Development / Mission Grants
$12,049
$24,996
Internet Ministry
$99,996
Archdiocese Youth
$390,924
Other Grants
$43,000
Summer Camp Scholarships
$190,000
Project Mexico
$10,000
Youth Ministry
$120,000
SOYO Special Olympics
SOYO Leadership & Youth Worker Training
$25,928
Christian Education
$39,996
College Conference
$15,000
IOCC
$8,000 $25,000
On behalf of all the members of the Order, we thank you for accepting “the responsibility” … to take care of each other as we commit to financially provide for and reassure our retired clergy during their golden years, to strengthen our children in their Orthodox Faith, to help share and to reveal Orthodoxy throughout North America to people of any nationality, background or socioeconomic position and to become part of the families of our married seminarians by assisting them financially so they can answer God’s call. We thank you in sincere gratitude and humility. So as you contemplate your support of the Order over the years, encourage your family and friends to become a part of the Order, or consider becoming a part of The Order’s ministry for the first time, we leave you with what we believe should be in your heart. These words are what guide our work as a Governing Council and come from the teachings of St. Ignatius himself … “Let no man's place, or dignity, or riches, puff him up; and let no man's low condition or poverty abase him. For the chief points are faith towards God, hope towards Christ, the enjoyment of those good things for which we look, and love towards God and our neighbor.” In His service,
Roger J. David North American Chairperson The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch
Parish Council- November 11,2020 In attendance- Fr. Peter Cox, Mike Jacobs, George Stickney Jr, De Bottei, Tina Finch, Pete Steggerda, Erica Ameen Call to order with a prayer -7:04PM Mike made a motion to approve October minutes. Father seconded the motion and all approved. Pastor Report ● Fr. Lucas and Kh. Nicole both have covid. Dorwin is recovering and doing well. Please keep them all in your prayers. ● All of the sacrament records have been sent to the Archdiocese, along with $200 Treasury ● The stewardship campaign will be wrapping up on Sunday. Final numbers next months meeting. ● We are waiting on a check from the archdiocese for $19,590.00 ● Arrears to the archdiocese can be paid after we receive the check from them. ● Stewardship campaign can be completed online. Out of 59 cards sent out, 23 have been returned with good response. This is also a way to see who still considers themselves a member. Fr moved to accept the report, De seconded the motion and all approved. Maintenance ● Concrete raising may not be able to get to us before the end of the year. ● Western is going to fix the broken concrete from damage from the cherry picker. Not sure yet if they will contract out or reimburse us for repair. ● Erica Ameen is organizing getting the kitchen ready for construction. Meeting with someone to unhook the dishwasher next week. ● Parking lot drains need to be cleaned out Audio/Visual ● Parts have been ordered for the mixer, as soon as parts arrive they will be put in ● George will hook everything back up as soon as possible ● Open mic is only used if someone else is reading ● We may need to use the router to help with internet issues. Possibly run Ethernet cable straight to the computer. Youth Report ● There are only 4 teens max at Sunday school. This is not on the teens, it’s parents who bring them to church ● Father is going to reach out to families we haven’t seen in a while. ● De is going to offer to Stevens kids if they want a ride to Sunday school or pickled palette since they live close.
New Business ● George can help Father get the website finished. ● Kitchen- Plan to do one area at a time. Father added the stage closet to the list of things to be gone through. If there is stuff we don’t need, or haven’t/won’t be using we need to get rid of it. ● George is talking with potential buyer for the steam table. ● Dumpster can be picked up anytime, just need to call and request it. Next meeting December 9,2020 at 7:00 PM Respectfully submitted, Erica Ameen ____________________________________________________________________________
Treasurer’s Report November 2020 Total Income Tithes and Offerings Expenses
$ 4,896.61 4,433.40 9,151.87 _________ $4,255.26 Expenses
Benevolence Education Church Utilities Office Expense General Supplies Insurance Lawn Internet Copier Archdiocese Assessment Fr. Peter Salary Fr. Peter Life Insurance Fr. Peter IRA
500.00 37.50 558.67 385.80 146.10 1,679.75 550.00 131.33 90.56 802.16 3,935.00 135.00 200.00 ________ $9,151.87
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SAVE THIS PAGE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE St. Thomas Orthodox Church Cemetery Rules & Regulations Amended as of July 1, 2017 REGULATIONS GOVERNING DECORATION OF GRAVES AND CEMETERY LOTS: The purpose of these regulations is to help give direction and uniformity to our maintenance person. We have not had a formal policy, and it has been difficult for our maintenance person to know what to cut, trim, save, throw away etc. It is also difficult to mow the grass around some of the graves. We have taken the following directives from other cemeteries in Sioux City and adapted them for our own needs. DECORATION OF GRAVES PERMITTED 1. All Plants, Artificial Flowers, decorations and planters should be placed adjacent to markers and monuments. 2. Memorial Day: Crosses, wreaths, cut flowers, etc. are permitted the Friday before Memorial Day to the following Monday after Memorial Day- a 10 Day period. Anyone wishing to preserve any of the above, including containers, is asked to remove them by the following Monday after Memorial Day. 3. All decoration placed for a particular day or holiday or event must be removed no later than 15 days after that date. 4. Anyone wishing to preserve decorations must make periodic checks on the condition of the decorations. All decorations removed from the grave site will be disposed of. NOT PERMITTED: 1. No permanent plants of any kind will be allowed on the graves or on the cemetery lots, including but not limited to: a. Woody plants like evergreens, trees, shrubs, rose bushes, potentillas, etc. b. Annual or perennial flowers like tulips, irises, peonies, chrysanthemums, etc 2. Containers made of glass, ceramic, terra cota or other hazardous material. 3. Gravesite decorations that may become a maintenance problem. SIZE OF GRAVE MARKERS, BASES, MONUMENTS & STONES: 1. HEIGHT: No Grave Makers, Bases, Monuments & Stones combined shall be greater than Forty-Two Inches (42”) high/tall from ground level. 2. SINGLE GRAVE MARKER: a. Horizontal width: 8 Inches Minimum to 14 Inches Maximum width. (Front to back) b. Horizontal Length: 16 Inches Minimum to 30 Inches Maximum. (Side to side) 3: DOUBLE GRAVE MARKER a. Horizontal width: 8 Inches Minimum to 14 Inches Maximum width. (Front to back) b. Horizontal Length: 20 Inches Minimum to 60 Inches Maximum. (Side to side) SIZE, LOCATION, AND NUMBER OF BURIAL PLOTS: SIZE: A Burial Plot is approximately 5’ X 10’. The actual size may vary slightly depending on the burial area in the “old” section or the “new” section. The “old” section may have locations identified as a “single burial” even though the size/square feet of the lot may vary. LOCATION: The location of a single or multiple burial plots will be at the discretion of the Cemetery Committee so as to maintain the uniformity of the entire Cemetery NUMBER OF BURIALS: Only one casket may be buried in each burial plot. FUNERARY RITES AND SERVICES There will be no religious services performed or conducted in the cemetery except for those which are performed and conducted by the St. Thomas Antiochian Orthodox Church or with its express consent or under its auspices. As cremation is strictly forbidden by the Orthodox Faith, cremains may not be interred in the St. Thomas Antiochian Orthodox Church Cemetery. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO OWN, PURCHASE BURIAL LOTS OR BE BURIED IN THE ST. THOMAS ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH CEMETERY. 1. Before any burial can occur, the Burial Plot must be paid for in full and all burial fees paid to St. Thomas Orthodox Church Cemetery. (See Burial Fee Below) 2. A person who has been baptized into the Orthodox faith and has not, since that time, adopted or subscribed to a different religious pursuit or faith.
3. A person whose grand-parents, great-grand-parents or great-great-grandparents were members of St. Thomas Antiochian Orthodox Church of Sioux City, Iowa, and they have not adopted or subscribed to or attend a different religious pursuit or faith. 4. A person or family that has a viable connection to St. Thomas Orthodox Church or the Orthodox Faith such as a Catechumen. 4. No person is eligible for burial in the cemetery unless, at the time of their death, they satisfy the eligibility requirements including price and supporting member as set forth in this document or the exception set forth below. 5. Immediate Families of deceased members shall have contributed financial support to St. Thomas Orthodox Church during the 2 years prior to the Burial. (Supporting Member) 6. Notwithstanding any provision above, and as a specific exception thereto, a spouse or children of a person who satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth above at the time of the death of said spouse, may be buried in this cemetery. 7. Out-of-town Orthodox Christians who are members in good standing of another Orthodox Christian church. For those who are not members in good standing of another Orthodox Christian church, the guidelines below will apply. BURIAL FEES AND BURIAL LOT PRICES: SUPPORTING ORTHODOX MEMBER: A “Supporting Orthodox Member” (Person) is an active member of St. Thomas Orthodox Church who has contributed to the financial support of St. Thomas Orthodox Church during the immediate 2 years prior to the burial. PRICE: Supporting Member Price per Burial Plot (Approximately 5’ X 10’) is $1,000. NON-SUPPORTING ORTHODOX PERSON: A “Non-Supporting Orthodox Person” is a person who has NOT contributed to the financial support of St. Thomas Orthodox Church during the immediate 2 years prior to the burial. PRICE: NON- SUPPORTING ORTHODOX PERSON Price per Burial Plot (Approximately 5’ X 10’) IS $1,500. NON-SUPPORTING ORTHODOX PERSON BURIAL FEE: CURRENT OWNERS OF A BURIAL LOT: IN ALL CASES, FOR NON-SUPPORTING ORTHODOX PERSON OR A FAMILY WHO CURRENTLY OWNS A BURIAL LOT IN THE ST. THOMAS ORTHODOX CHURCH CEMETERY AND ARE NON-SUPPORTING OF ST. THOMAS ORTHODOX CHURCH, there is a $500 internment Fee payable to St. Thomas Orthodox Church Cemetery (per burial) prior to burial. If you have any questions or are interested in purchasing burial lots please contact the Cemetery Committee: Ron Carlson Pat Corey Nick Corey